The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that the sale of application forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry has officially commenced for the 2026/2027 admission cycle.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and shared via the Board’s official X platform on Tuesday evening.
JAMB said, “Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/27 academic session.”
In the announcement, the Board highlighted the age requirement, stressing that, “Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply/be considered.”
Although the age rule stands, the Board noted exceptions under special evaluation.
The release explained, “Candidates less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 will have to undergo an intensive evaluation to determine their eligibility for a waiver. Such must have scored not less than 80% in each of UTME/ALEVEL, PUTME, SSCE and in the exceptional candidate assessment.”
It further added, “The UTME results of the underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process.”
Providing timelines, JAMB announced: “The period of registration for UTME candidates, including those from foreign countries, is from Monday, 26th January, 2026 to Saturday, 28th February, 2026.”
The statement continued, “E-PIN vending for UTME begins on Monday, 19 January, 2026, and ends on Thursday, 26 February, 2026, while registration closes on Saturday, 28th February, 2026.”
For candidates applying through Direct Entry, the Board clarified: “Sale of 2026 Direct Entry (DE) application documents and E-PIN vending would commence from Monday, 2nd March, 2026 and end by Saturday, 25th April, 2026 and would only be at the Board’s State and Zonal Offices.”
The Board also introduced three e-PIN categories.
According to the announcement, “There will be three categories of E-PINS: Direct Entry (N5,700); UTME ONLY WITHOUT MOCK (N7,200); UTME WITH MOCK (N8,700).”
JAMB further provided a breakdown: “UTME/DE JAMB Application Fee N3,500; Reading Text N1,000; CBT Centre Registration Service Charge – N700; CBT Centre UTME Service Charge – N1,500; Bank Charges – N500; CBT Mock-UTME Centre Charge – N1,500.”
The exam dates were also confirmed.
It stated, “The 2026 UTME will commence on Thursday, 16th April, 2026 and end on Saturday, 25th April, 2026.
“Mock-UTME (optional) shall hold on Saturday, March 28th, 2026.”